Department for Transport Shared Research, Evaluation and Analysis

The Department for Transport (DfT) is considering procuring a shared research, evaluation and analysis call-off contract to provide flexible access to timely, high-quality research, monitoring, evaluation, economic analysis and related analytical support across a range of transport policy areas. The proposed contract is expected to support analytical requirements across four divisions, which cover a broad range of transport policy areas: Accessible and inclusive transport (particular focus on those with physical and mental health conditions and/or groups with different protected characteristics) Active travel (cycling, wheeling and walking) Buses, planning and housing Devolution of responsibility for transport in England, including devolution deals, place-based policy, and strategy for integrated transport Local highways maintenance Local Authority capability and capacity Passenger transport (light rail, taxis, private hire vehicles, community transport) Road Freight (including: roadworthiness and vehicle regulation; international freight; HGV driver skills, hours and working conditions; traffic commissioners and operator licencing) Multimodal Freight (including: modal shift; freight innovation funding; work to improve connectivity of data and insights across the freight network) Dangerous Goods Future Borders (including policies to improve traffic management in Kent) Borders Resilience and Response (managing disruption at borders and along the strategic road network) Road safety (including supporting road users, safer vehicles, post collision care, safer infrastructure, and enforcement) Motoring Agencies (DVSA, DVLA and VCA – including MOT and driver licensing) International Vehicle Standards Connected and Autonomous vehicles AI, data, and other emerging transport technologies Vehicle Infrastructure (e.g. charging) Strategic Roads (Strategic Road Network managed by National Highways) Traffic and Technology (including traffic management, parking, street works etc.) Micro-mobility, such as e-scooters, and other forms of transport innovation (e.g. pavement robots) Lower Thames Crossing These divisions are home to more than 80 analysts with expertise in social research, evaluation, behavioural science, economics, operational research, statistics, and transport modelling; any of whom could commission work through the contract during its lifetime. The proposed contract would replace and expand the remit of an existing call-off contract that commenced in March 2023. The current draft requirement is for a call-off contract under which up to three suppliers may be appointed and individual commissions would be agreed as requirements arise. The current draft maximum budget is £6,000,000 excluding VAT. The proposed contract term is February 2027 to February 2031, or until the budget is exhausted, whichever is sooner. Commissions agreed before the contract end date may continue, provided each commission is completed within seven years of its start date. The proposed contract is expected to cover a broad range of research, evaluation, economic analysis and related analytical services. This may include, but is not limited to: evidence reviews and synthesis; qualitative, quantitative and mixed-methods primary research; secondary analysis of existing datasets; advanced quantitative analysis, modelling and forecasting; behavioural, user-centred and accessibility-focused research; monitoring and evaluation, including process, impact, outcome and value for money evaluation; cost-benefit analysis, economic appraisal and economic evaluation; and analytical quality assurance. Suppliers would be expected to demonstrate broad analytical capability and be able to design, deliver, peer review, quality assure and clearly communicate high-quality, policy-relevant analysis in line with relevant government guidance, including the Magenta Book, Green Book and AQuA Book. Across all work, suppliers will be expected to apply proportionate methods, document assumptions and limitations clearly, and translate findings into practical recommendations for policy, operational or funding decisions. Suppliers would be expected to provide sufficient technical expertise, capacity, resilience and project management capability to deliver multiple commissions concurrently, including short-term, medium-term and longer-term projects of varying complexity. Suppliers may deliver requirements through their own organisation, consortium arrangements, named subcontractors or other approved delivery partners. Due to the broad nature of the proposed requirements, the Department encourages suppliers to consider whether consortium, subcontracting or other partnership arrangements would help them provide the necessary breadth of expertise, capacity and resilience. Any such arrangements should include clear lines of responsibility, with the lead supplier retaining appropriate oversight and accountability for quality, timeliness, confidentiality, continuity and management of all work delivered under the contract. Outputs from the proposed contract would be used to inform policy and operational decisions and to build the evidence base across a range of transport policy areas. Outputs may include, depending on the individual commission, reports, slide packs, spreadsheets, datasets, analytical code, models, evidence logs, technical annexes and other supporting materials. The DfT expects outputs to be robust, proportionate, clearly communicated, appropriately documented, quality assured and suitable for policy, analytical and, where relevant, public audiences. Individual commissions are expected to have tailored milestones, deliverables and outputs. Suppliers may be expected to provide sufficient documentation to enable the Department to understand, review, use and, where appropriate, update or reuse outputs in future. The DfT expects that any future contract will include requirements on the safe, transparent and proportionate use of AI, including generative AI, machine learning and AI-enabled tools used to support research, evaluation or analysis. Supplier views may be sought through preliminary market engagement on how AI can be used responsibly while managing data protection, security, ethics, transparency, bias and quality risks. The information provided in this notice is indicative and non-binding. The scope, value, timetable, procurement approach, contract structure and requirements may be refined following preliminary market engagement and internal approvals.